Extremists gave Virat and Anushka’s 10 months old daughter rape threats after the former defends Shami, a Muslim bowler in the Indian Cricket Team. Shami was subjected to Islamophobic slurs and dubbed a “Ghadaar” (traitor) after India lost to Pakisan in a T20 World Cup match by 10 wickets.
Muhammad Shami, the only Muslim bowler in the Indian Cricket Team was subjected to vile online abuse after India’s lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets in T20 World Cup match. Besides hurling Islamophobic slurs at Shami, extremists also dubbed him a “traitor” and went so far as to ask him to go to Pakistan.
People on Twitter were furious and came to Shami’s defence. The Indian Skipper, Virat Kohli also came to his Muslim coutnerpart’s defence and called those extremists “pathetic” and “spineless” (Al Jazeerah).
Kohli was appalled at the instance and stated “There is a good reason why we are playing on the field and not a bunch of spineless people on social media that have no courage to actually speak to any individual in person.” (Al Jazeerah).
“Attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing that a human being can do. They have no understanding of how much effort we put on the field. They have no understanding of the fact that someone like Shami has won India matches in the last few years.” (Al Jazeerah)
“Honestly I don’t even want to waste one minute of my life to give any attention to those people and neither does Shami and neither does anyone else on the team.” (Al Jazeerah)
Virat’s response did not sit well with the extremists. Their attacks are now targeted at Virat, to the extent that they have now resorted to hurling rape threats to Virat and Anushka’s 10 months old daughter. We think this is absolutely disgusting and Twitter seems to agree.
Twitterati Is Furious
Many on Twitter have come out in Virat and Anushka’s defence.
“This legend should be honored, is this how the legend is treated in India, he has built a stock of victories for India throughout his career.”
“Kohli and Anushka’s 10-month-old daughter is getting rape threats because he decided to stand by his Muslim teammate, call out bigotry, and say discrimination on the basis of religion is wrong. A 10-month-old child. This is the India that we let happen.”
“This is sick to the core. These people need to be named and shamed, publicly. This is so pathetic and disgusting!!”
“This makes me want to puke. Rape threats to a toddler from the RW because @imVkohli did the decent thing called out bigotry & supported his teammate. These bigots belong in jail.”
“Bigotry first, nation second.”
Celebrities & Twitterati Show Their Support For Virat
Ali Zafar took to Twitter to show his support for Virat Kohli. He feels no player deserves personal attacks, especially on their families.
“We all have good & bad days in our lives. Same goes for players/teams. @imVkohli is a class act & should be respected. No player or team in the world should face personal attacks made to them or their families. Shughal apni jagah but discourse should be well spirited.”
Fahad Mustafa retweeted Ali Zafar’s tweet and wrote “Agreed don’t disgrace your heroes”
“Stay Strong. Muslims prayers are with you.”
Bollywood Actress, Swara Bhaskar agrees with Virat Kohli and isn’t afraid to be openly vocal about it!
Win or lose, it is only a game at the end of the day. Players need to be respected and their struggles appreciated. Personal attacks on a player’s family or religion for merely losing a game really reflects on where this world is headed. We hope better sense prevails.
What are your thoughts on this?
